The annual Madison Farmers Market opened for the first time this season on Thursday afternoon, treating residents to the first tastes of summertime.

The market is organized by the Downtown Developmental Commission and sets up on Waverly Place near the clock tower. Thursday's market featured six vendors, including two farms, a bakery and a pickle stand.

Maureen Byrne, Volunteer Coordinator for the market, said the market is an ideal place to socialize and find great produce as she strolled through the market with her daughter, purchasing blueberries and doughnuts from a vendor.

"It's wonderful local produce," said Byrne. "Everything has been raised pretty much within 25 to 30 miles from here and it's a great place to come. I stand around and I see everybody I know every Thursday. It's just a big party."

Byrne also said that while the produce may be pricier than local grocery stores, there is no comparison in quality.

"This has been picked this morning in most cases and you can't get better than that," she said. "There's a real difference between the tomato that was picked this morning and the tomato that was picked last week and shipped from California."

The market will be held every Thursday on Waverly Place from 2 p.m.-7 p.m. from June 24 through Sept. 30 and in the Staples Plaza Parking Lot from Oct. 7 through Oct. 28.